Demon Legacy: The Curse of the Amulet

The Expedition Part II

It took us about 20 minutes to reach the cave that Andres told us about, I took the lead and went into cave follow by Harry, Cecelia, Blair and finally John. As we processed smoothly, we came into the spot where Andres’s friend had met their end but there were no body to be found.

“Well, this is the place that Andres encounter the monster and our artifact but judging by the look of things I see no evidence that artifact was present here.” I said firmly.

“I think might know the cause of our monster appearance.” Harry points out his light toward the left “see there, those are known as Aventurine quartz, gemstone to cause unexplainable phenomena, making illusion that make any believe that they are facing a monster.” Harry picks one of the gemstones to show us.

“Well, that explain how the kingdom prevented intruder entering this place.” Blair said confidently.

“Yet we are no way near in find this supposed amulet or this lost kingdom?” John said annoyed.

“Let not lose hope, they might be something that we are missing, the answer could be right in front of us, but we need to explore in order to find us.” Cecelia said calmly.

“Cecelia is right, we should be looking for clue, not sitting around and complaining.” I said firmly.

Agitated yet following my command John started looking around along with us. I was looking at one side with Harry when heard the crumbling of rock behind, we turned to discovery that Blair had fallen inside of secret wall. We rushed to see if he was alright.

“Minor injuries but I’m okay" he said lifting himself up.

John approach him, checking for any injuries “just few scratches and cut but nothing serious.” John said after examining Blair body.

“However, I’m confused that how this all happened?” Harry asked distorted.

“Well as we were looking for clue to where to go, I notice that some of these rock look hand made, so I started to check them, so enough I felt a soft part of the cave wall, I guess I applied a little more force or it was already weak but whatever the case, the whole cave wall fell open along with me. Anyway, you better check this out.” Blair said pointing his flashlight at the whole.

“Oh My God! We found a secret passageway.” I exclaimed excited.

“Amazing, I wonder would this lead us to the chamber where amulet is locked away?” Harry asked curiously.

“Only one way to find out, we must go through this passage but walk with caution as we don’t know where what trap lay wait for us.” I said firmly.

With that one by one we enter the passage with me in the lead follow by Harry, Cecelia Blair, and John as in order. The passage was one-way, leading us down which mean that the location of the amulet might closer than we might have thought. The passage was man made, lit with our flashlight however there are wall lamp attach to the side with are not in use for long time, yet I felt something was off. Usually, a cave smell like a mixture of mud and earth but the in the passage, there is a mixture of foul smell, precisely of death corpse, this was alarming, could it be the people that disappear and died due to the trap, if so, we must trend lightly as we do not know what trap have been laid out to prevent intruder. Soon enough halfway down the stairway, I felt a strange sensation in my head and in time a major headache, making fall on my feet while holding one hand on the wall and the other on my head. Harry knelt down behind me concerned “Jack! Is everything alright, what wrong? Please answer me?”

How could I tell them what I am feeling when I do not understand what was going on with me? Suddenly, I started to hear a woman crying but soon I could hear what she was saying “Please leave before it too late, the treasure you seek is not worth your and your friend’s life’s. Turn back and never return.” Once the voice stopped, my headache disappeared but left me breathless and sweaty. I turned toward the other who look shocked, confused, and scared.

“I’m sorry that I startled you all, but it was just a major headache that all.” I said assuredly.

“Are you sure Jack, you look like you were about to pass out and breathing heavily like you just ran a marathon, are sure you don’t want to go back and rest?” John said worried.

“No, I’m perfectly fine, we should move on.” I said quickly. Although they believe me somewhat, but they remain in silence proceeding ahead, I could not tell them what I have truly experience, if I were than without of doubt, we would have to abandon the expedition which I cannot allow, we were so close in find the truth, I cannot afford to stop due just some headache and illusion cause by it. After walking for twenty minutes, we finally reached the bottom where a door awaits us, we approach it with caution. Once we reach the door, I turned toward my colleague wanting to know that were they ready or not as there was no turning back. With the approval from everyone, I opened the door and enter the chamber where our nightmare will begin.

As we enter the chamber, we were amazed by the structure of the room itself. The chamber could be equal to a skyscraper with beautiful star geometric pattern stretching all over the room. It appears the room was lit through the glass ceiling but for where the light was coming from, we cannot pinpoint. On further exception Blair deduce that the wall was made of greyish concrete wall with grey- white travertine tiling to contest with the chamber design.

What struck is the most is the four statute that stood in each corner of the room which we believe could be Edmund IV along with his wife, his daughter, and their trusted advisor. The craving of the statue was beyond magnificent, made of marble which could have been hard to find that time. According to Blair, these statues weren’t made at that time which mean it was later period but by whom and why, we need to find out. Whatever the case they were a work of art and most importantly, we had proven of the existence of this kingdom along with last member actual image. The King was dress in his traditional knight armor and base on design, knowledge of what he had gather we assume that the King would be around 40 when he supposedly passed away. His Queen drowns a beautifully flow length dress along with necklace and ring on her neck and hand. The princess had similar dressing with her mother except she wasn’t wearing any jewelry instead one hand was holding a rose to her chest while the trusted advisor was wearing a long robe with a hood over his head while holding a staff on his right hand.

“Oh my!” Cecelia gasped.

“What the matter Cecelia?” I asked her.

“Look at the face of each of the statue and the position of their left hand, don’t’ you see it?” Cecelia said anxious. I pointed my flashlight at the top of the statue and saw what Cecelia was saying.

“Their face are full of grief and agony.” Harry pointed out.

“My, whoever made these might have indicated the tragic end of king dynasty but the way their pain are expressing, something horrible must have happened but the question is what?” Blair said curiously.

“Why don’t you see for yourself? They are pointing at it” John remark back.

We look toward where the hand was pointing at and notice that they were pointing at the top of a platform which was rising from the ground with only one stairway leading up to it.

“Could it be what I’m thinking it is?” I asked excited.

“Well, there is only one way to find, you first mate.” John said.

With everyone with agreement, I started to climb the staircase toward the top of the platform where the amulet lies. As I was halfway up, I heard that woman voice again “Please, I beg of you, leave this place before it too late.” I ignore the woman warning and focus on retrieve out price treasure. Once I step on the oval landing, I saw the amulet on a statue dummy. Walking close I notice that the hand of the royal and its advisor was pointing at the amulet, it seems that they were cursing the amulet, but the question is why? Why were they blaming a mere jewelry for their demise but then again there have been history of curse object in charms and jewels so it would not be surprising during that time, yet it is just foolish nourish, nothing ever been proven true. Walking up to the amulet, I observe the design of the amulet, it was simply gorgeous, it was a shiny golden kite with a red diamond shaped stone in the center along with four crystal, maybe diamond at each corner of the amulet, handing on golden chain.

Looking the amulet like this it is hard to believe that a mere object could do any harm yet what this uneasiness that I’m feeling?

“Jack is the amulet is up there” I heard Harry shout out.

“Yes, it is, I will retrieve it and place in the box for further examination.” I said out loud. The moment I touch the amulet my life changes completely. The amulet started to glow brightly, blinding me momentarily however when I look, I couldn’t believe what my eyes where seeing, the room was shafting, warping the surrounding. Soon I heard Cecelia voice “Jack, what is happening, are you okay?” I tried to say something, but I was left speechless, I couldn’t make ay sense what was happening soon, the amulet started to leak a dark mist, taking a form into something but appear incomplete but what was clear was the demonic red eyes and sensation of it smirking.

“No matter how many centuries pass by the gullibility of humanity astounded me” The mist speaks amused.

“What the bloody hell are you!?” I asked shocked.

“You will soon find out.” It said simply. Soon I hear the footsteps of my colleague coming up, “Jackson are you alright.” I heard Blair yelled out for me.

“NO! DON’T CAME UP HERE” I shouted in fear of what this thing can do. I tried to run but it was as I was paralyzed, I couldn’t move a muscle.

“Stay Jackson Emerson and enjoy the show” The mist calls out, enjoying my misery but how did it know my name? Without heeding my warning Blair and Cecelia came up to be shocked and terrify at the same time.

“What the hell?” Blair said alarmed. It was Cecelia who moved toward me, gripping my arm, she tried pull me, but it was as I was stuck. I looked at her with admiration, not knowing what going on yet she was trying her best to save me.

“Cecelia! get everyone out of here, save yourself and the other, it’s to late for me” I said sadly, after all I should take responsibility for this mess.

“No! I wouldn’t leave anyone behind” she said firmly then she turned toward the mist, “I don’t know what the bloody thing you are but I wouldn’t allow you to harm any of my friends.” Cecelia shouted angrily at the mist while Harry, John and Blair grabbed me to pull me away from the monster grip (Harry and John must have come up while are attention was at the monster). The mist looked amused at Cecelia outburst that soon it’s laugh echo around us, our attention toward the mist.

“I quite find it hilarious that if your kind is capable of harming any supernatural or my kind, then you would be at top of the food chain but unfortunately that is not true, which is why seeing you harm me is extremely impossible, but I bit.” It said leaning toward Cecelia “What harm will you inflicted upon me, little girl” It said mockingly.

“This” She tossed something at it which cause it scream in pain and not so long I could feel the movement in the body and all of us dashed toward the secret entrance but since the chamber was warping the space, we ended up somewhere else.

“What is the place? Blair asked confused.

“We might be in one of the sleeping chambers of the castle.” Harry said firmly.

“How the hell did we end up here?” John said sacred.

“Does it matter, we need to get the bloody hell of here!” Cecelia shouted annoyed by the other behavior.

“She is right, we need leave this place.” I said running toward the door. The door was jammed so with a little effort Harry Blair and I broke through the door, which led us in one the hallway of the castle.

“Which way do we go, left or right?” I asked Harry.

“If we have entered the princess sleeping quarter then we should go left from there we should find stair way that led down until we reach the ground floor. When we land, there should be a large door that will lead us to reception and throne area. We should get out through the gate.” Harry said quickly while pointing toward left.

So, we started to run toward direction that Harry point out making sure that mist isn’t following us or if any space is not warping around us.  We soon reached the stairway climbing down as fast we could until we hear the roar of the mist echo throughout the castle causing it to shake. All of us grab to hold something for support but the unexpecting happened which shocked us to core. The Stair railway that Cecelia was holding broke causing her to lose her balance nearly feeling but before that John ran toward her grabbing her hand rotating her back to us, taking her place. Looking at John, I heard him whisper his last word “Take care my friends” with that he fell to his death, getting consume by the mist.

“JOHN NO!!!!” Cecelia screamed in pain, tear flowing down from her eyes while Harry was comforting her in his arm.

“John, thank you my friend” I said silently, pain aching in chest.

“We should move before that thing have another chance to attack.” Harry said sadly. Gathering Cecelia, we took off toward the exit weeping silently for the death of our friend. We landed on the ground floor, heading towards the throne room, feeling the vibration of the castle once again yet we kept moving not wanting to be caught by that monster. We across halfway of the throne room when we hear a yell for behind us. We turn around to see the Blair have been caught in one of space rift, dragging him away. I tried to catch up to him, but it was to late as it took him away from us to another part of the palace.

“NO!!” I yelled in angry as I let another one slip away, but I didn’t have time to mourn as another tragedy be fold on us. While I was comprehending what just happened, I heard a sound something breaking and the next I knew I was push forward landing on my back, hearing a fatal crash. When I looked up, I saw that one of the statues was about to fall on me, but Harry pushes me away and took my place, getting crush beneath it. Me and Cecelia rushed toward, clearing the rumble to find him bleeding heavily but still alive. We tried to move the statue, but it was so heavy “Leave me.” Harry said breathing heavily.

“No, we can save you, just hold on.” I said desperately.

“No, you can’t, I think my leg are broken, I will slow you down, you must leave and safe yourself and Cecelia.” He said sadly.

“Please don’t give up, we can save you.” Cecelia said crying. Soon we hear the roar of that monster again and felt it closing on us. Harry reached for my hand, grabbing it “Listen to me, I will be gone before that thing reach me, but you and Cecelia have a chance to escape and warn the people about it. Jack, I know that you blame yourself for what have occurred, but we all chose to go with you, so we are at fault for not listening to the warning. You guys our last hope so don’t waste your energy on me and just go” He said firmly, pushing me away from him.

With a heavy heart, I pulled Cecelia up to her feet and dray her with me to the exited. Once we were outside, I heard the echo of shooting, making me realize what have Harry done, he shot himself to prevent his soul being stolen by the mist. I could feel the rumbling of the ground indicating that the mist was still chasing us so we continue running toward the cave that we enter through.

Unknown POV:

“Well, it looks like our plan work out perfectly, they went for our lost gem although I’m not sure that whether this group is any different from the one, we sent many year ago.”  The smiling man said amused. He looks toward his companion who was gazing at the forest from above the hill.

“Everything have their own time, we weren’t certain from the previous group that came here before, but this time is different, I’m sure that one of them will appear in this journey, he or she will be the one to defeat this demon and if he/she defeat him, he will worthy in obtaining the rest of lost gems.” The man said quietly.

“Humm, you feel too confident this time, what make you sure that he/she will appear?” The smiling man asked confused. Soon for the hill view, they saw a shadowing running out from the cave with dark mist chasing him. The smiling man was stunned in seeing two of the researchers escape the demon wrath.

“It appears the time has finally come, even he could sense that person presence.” The man said proudly. The man turned away from the scene, walking away, the smiling man following, asking him confusion “How are you sure that it is one of your descendants that will come to save them and kill him.”

The man turned; his eyeing glowing goldish “that researcher has connection to my descendants but he nor the researcher know the connection until they meet.”

“You don’t mean they are related by blood?” The smiling man asked.

“No, the researcher is after all the best friend of the father of my descendant.” He said simply.

With that they walk away from the scene to stay for the night and see whether this time their hope will not be scatter like the other time.

Jackson POV:

“OH MY GOD! What have I done, why didn’t I listen to the warning? Why I couldn’t accept the possibility of the supernatural, why I couldn’t just stop when thing got out of hand? I promise them they will be safe, and nothing will happen to them. How wrong was I” I said to myself while running away from the dark mist that was chasing me and Cecelia. We immerged from the cave and ran straight into the forest to reach the camp, As I was running, I tripped over wood branch, falling on my front on the snow, Cecelia turned back, checking on my wound. When she saw that the wound wasn’t deep she tore a piece of her clothes and wrap around the wound. I tried to get quickly but pain shot through me leg making be stumbled. Looking at my leg, I notice some blood seeping through the cloth, luckily it wasn’t deep, but it was not my main concern now as I hear that demonic voice again.

“And where do you think you both are going?” It was roaring in the dark mist approaching steadily at me. It was as Andres have described; it had no form just black smoke with red glowing menacingly at me. We quickly got up, running with the adrenaline cause seer pain and fear.

“Please just leave us alone, you already taken our friend from us, what else you want” Cecelia shouted while crying as I remember the face of my colleague, screaming to save me but I couldn’t. Now long we reached the site area where another surprise was awaiting us, there was no one at the site, the labor we brought with us, our helicopter flier, and few other security people, there was no one left, everyone had disappeared. Could this be the work of the monster from the amulet? I’m beyond confused and scared, I didn’t know what to do next but soon I heard it voice again. “Where are you, you stupid humans, do you think that you can escape me, I will find you and kill you so painfully wishing you were never born.” It voices echo throughout the forest, shaking the land slightly.

We quickly hid in one the tent and waited for it to go away. While we waited, I try to process what had happen and had to warn the other who come here.  Suddenly I remember how Cecelia made the mist feel pain. I turned toward the crying Cecelia asking softly “How did you know that what throw at will harm it” Before Cecelia tell me, I heard it voice near me “Found you!” The next I knew I was floating in midair, a strong grip around my neck, the tent was destroyed, the wind, the snow suddenly stop around us as if time have been stopped. The mist slowly was forming into shape even though it was not complete, I could see that whatever this thing was, it wasn’t human. I thought this was my end however instead killing me and Cecelia, it looked at me with a sinister smile “Do you want to save your colleague life?” it asked me, it’s eye glowing red while holding Cecelia neck tightly making her whimper.

“What do you mean?” I asked confused while trying to keep my composure.

It smiles sinisterly at me and made deal with me which I will regard for the rest of my life.